Himachal Pradesh celebrated its 78th Himachal Day on Tuesday with great enthusiasm . Functions were held throughout the state to celebrate the day, a state-level function was held at Killar in the remote Pangi area .
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu unfurled the national flag and tool salute from marching contingents of police, home guards and NCC cadets.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Chief Minister greeted the people of the state and also paid tribute to the first CM of Himachal, Dr YS Parmar, and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for their immense contribution to the formation of Himachal Pradesh.
He also declared Pangi as the first natural farming subdivision of Himachal Pradesh and announced giving a revolving grant of Rs 5 crore for the purpose, Rs 60 per kg as the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for naturally grown barley, and the setting up of a milk processing plant with a capacity of 10,000 litres in the Pangi area.
The CM Sukhu also announced granting Rs. 45.50 crore for laying a 33 KV line from Thirot to Killar, giving top priority to improving the Udaipur-Killar road, giving 20 new bus permits for the valley with a 40 per percent subsidy on bus purchases and also giving a 50 per percent waiver on registration fees for home stays in Pangi.
He said, “Sufficient funds for the construction of Mahila Mandal Bhawans will be provided, and the grant of sub-tehsil status to Sach will be announced, the opening of a Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School in Pangi will be announced, and the development of a Civil Hospital in Killar into Adarsh Swasthya Sansthan will be announced.
The CM said, “The state government has made efforts to revive the economy by introducing changes in policies and laws, resulting in significant improvements in Himachal Pradesh’s financial condition, and claimed the state government has fulfilled six out of its ten guarantees.”
He also narrated different schemes launched by the state government and achievements in different fields on the occasion.
The event was attended by Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, MLAs Sunder Thakur and Neeraj Nayyar, HP State Cooperative Bank Chairman Devendra, among other dignitaries.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri was the chief guest at the district-level function at Mandi and unfurled the national flag and took salute from the parade.
Addressing the occasion, Agnihotri said, “The Shanan Power Project located in Mandi district belongs to Himachal, and it should go to Himachal; the fight to take Shanan back from Punjab is at a decisive stage, and we are not going to step back even an inch in this matter,” he added .
He also spoke about differnt public welfare scehmes in his address.
On the occasion of Himachal Day, colourful programmes were presented by schoolchildren.
